Missouri town's schools closed after concerning comments

Mar. 08, 2018

WASHINGTON, Mo. (AP) — Schools in the eastern Missouri town of Washington are closed for the day after a school maintenance worker allegedly tried to buy a gun and ammunition while warning of "a lot of shooting."

The Washington Missourian reports that 33-year-old Thomas Wingfield of Union was charged Thursday with marijuana possession. Franklin County prosecutor Bob Parks says an investigation continues. Wingfield is jailed and has no listed attorney.

Police say a handgun was seized from Wingfield early Thursday after he flourished the weapon at a motorist stranded along Interstate 70 in St. Charles County.

An acquaintance told police Wingfield was recently suspended from his job. The acquaintance says Wingfield tried to buy a gun and 500 rounds of ammunition and made statements about "a lot of shooting" that would occur Thursday morning.